UNC’s Child Care Centers Receive Award from Shapiro Administration On Wednesday April 24, United Neighborhoods Centers of Northeastern Pennysylvania’s (UNC) Child Care Department received the 2024 Equity in Early Childhood Education (ECE) Champion Award from the Shapiro Administration. UNC staff visited the State Capitol Rotunda to receive the award from Pennsylvania Department of Education Secretary Dr. Khalid N. Mumin and Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Dr. Val Arkoosh, along with fellow recipients from across the state. The Pennsylvania Equity in Early Childhood Education Champion Award brings awareness to and highlights the equity work being done within Pennsylvania’s early childhood education and afterschool settings, including child care, evidence-based home visiting, and early intervention. UNC operates three child care centers that provide affordable before- and after-school care, and preschool services. We understand that reliable, safe, and accessible childcare is crucial to the stability of working families. Likewise, the quality of that care is key to the early development of the child. Our centers are licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services and operate weekdays from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. All three of UNC’s child care centers have 4-STAR ratings, the highest designation from the Keystone STARS childcare quality rating program. UNC child care centers accept Lackawanna County Early Learning Resource Center subsidy and other funding, as well as paying families. For more information about UNC’s childcare centers, see below, or call UNC’s Director of Children and Teens, Kelly Langan, at 272-228-1352. Pictured: From Left (front row): Dr. Khalid N. Mumin, Secretary for the Department of Education; Mary Ellen Richards, UNC Child Care staff; Nita Barrett, UNC Child Care staff; Shante’ Brown, Deputy Secretary of the Office of Child Development and Early Learning; Dr. Val Arkoosh, Secretary for the Department of Human Services From left (2nd row): Vuanasha Gatewood, UNC Child Care staff; Kelly Langan, UNC Director of Director of Children & Teens.
UNC’s Project Hope Summer Day Camp Return for 2024 United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC) Project Hope at Camp Kelly is excited to provide a traditional summer day camp once again for children living in Scranton. Campers are provided transportation to and from the camp located in the beautiful countryside of Tunkhannock, PA and experience arts and crafts, sports, and a variety of other fun and educational activities. They will be served breakfast, lunch, and a nutritious snack before returning home the duration of camp from July 1to July 26. Registration for UNC’s Project Hope is required, and opens on May 1, 2024, online at www.uncnepa.org/projecthope.
UNC to Host International Dinner and Celebration United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC) is excited for the return of our International Dinner and Celebration held during National Volunteer Week on Thursday, April 25, 2024, from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm at our Oppenheim Center for the Arts, 1004 Jackson Street in Scranton. UNC welcomes all media outlets to cover this culturally diverse showcase of our growing Community Education Department programming. The international potluck festivity highlights our students, their accomplishments, and recognizes our volunteers for their incredible work and dedication. Students and their families will share culinary dishes specific to their native countries, and enjoy arts and crafts, music, remarks, and presentation of certificates of achievement. There will be special emphasis on the students who recently obtained their United States citizenship. Remarks will also be made by Lisa Durkin, UNC President and CEO; and Terilynn Brechtel, UNC Director of Community Education. Both will be available for interviews during the event.
UNC’s 3rd Annual Pine Brook Family Arts Festival Date Set United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC) and partner John Adams Elementary School are hosting the 3rd Annual Pine Brook Family Arts Festival on Saturday, April 27, 2024, from Noon to 4 pm on the school’s playground. Activities include kids’ yoga, drum making, upcycling planters with flowers, DIY tie-dyes, suncatchers, face painting, balloon making, rock painting, food, music, and more! Antonio’s Pizza and El Buen Amigo will be serving pizza and tacos, for an additional fee. Joining us for the first time is Snook’s Wings and Things, selling burgers, fries, wings, and more. We will be supplying free ice cream from Scoopz Ice Cream truck for all attendees. Our partners Marywood University and The University of Scranton will provide arts education and make and take crafts. We are also hosting five local artists to assist children in creating artwork, this is made possible through a sponsorship from Lackawanna County Arts ENGAGE. Other organizations presenting crafts and resources include Penn State Extension 4H & Master Gardeners, Albright Memorial Library, Be SMART, Scranton Tomorrow with Keep PA Beautiful, and My Center for Independent Living. This free festival is a part of the UNC Pine Brook Neighborhood Revitalization Plan and offers access to different arts and activities for families in the neighborhood to enjoy,” said Holly Yorkonis, UNC event organizer. UNC’s Pine Brook Neighborhood Community Revitalization Plan is funded by Coterra, FNBC Bank, and Peoples Security Bank through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Neighborhood Partnership Program. Anyone interested in volunteering at the annual event should contact UNC Assistant Director of Community Revitalization, Holly at Hyorkonis@uncnepa.org or (272) 228-1366.
UNCDC to Break Ground on Community, Education, Development and Revitalization Center United Neighborhood Community Development Corporation (UNCDC), the nonprofit housing and economic development subsidiary of United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC), will break ground on the new Community, Education, Development, And Revitalization (CEDAR) Center at 530 Cedar Avenue in South Scranton on Friday, April 19, 2024, at 3pm. CEDAR Center will rehabilitate and repurpose the historic Peoples Security Bank building into vibrant center for the community. CEDAR Center will offer UNC’s expanding services in job readiness and workforce development, small business, and entrepreneurship services, and a welcome center for new immigrants. Penn State’s LaunchBox will operate a business accelerator and manage a student-run café/retail area. It will also serve as a venue to expand UNC’s regional year-round South Side Farmers Market. Remarks will be made by Jude McDonough, UNC Board Chair; Senator Marty Flynn, 22nd Senatorial District; Representative Kyle T. Donahue, District 113; Commissioner Bill Gaughan, Lackawanna County; Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti, City of Scranton; and Lisa Durkin, UNC President & Chief Executive Officer. In addition to the UNCDC, the development team consists of Ralph J. Melone, AIA, Project Architect, and Robert Bamford, General Contractor, Mar-Paul Construction Co., Inc. The CEDAR Center project is made possible through funding from Senator Robert P. Casey Jr., Peoples Security Bank, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program; PA Department of Community and Economic Development, Keystone Communities; Lackawanna County; City of Scranton; Oppenheim Foundation; PNC Bank; and PPL Electric Utilities.
UNC to Host 2nd Annual Designer Purse Bingo UNC’s 2nd Annual Designer Purse Bingo is taking place at Holy Cross High School in Dunmore on Friday April 5th. We have amazing purses to win, “celebrity” callers, a huge bingo recall screen, additional chances on raffle items, 50/50, a gift card pull, and special games – all we need is you! It’s a Friday so bring your own Happy Hour. Doors open at 5:30pm, bingo starts at 6:30pm. Tickets are $30 in advance. $35 at the door. The proceeds benefit UNC’s many programs and services. This is a 21+ event. Register 10 or more for reserved seating. Call Chrissy Manuel, UNC Director of Development & Communications for more information at: (272) 228-1371 or email cmanuel@uncnepa.org. For tickets, please visit: uncnepa.org/bingo
UNC’s Illumination Youth Arts Opening Night Reception & Exhibit United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC) Illumination Youth Arts is presenting their first ever multimedia interactive exhibit titled “Illuminated Echoes: Ancient Games and Youth Artistry.” The public is invited to their opening night reception on Thursday, March 28, 2024, at 6:00 pm at AFA Gallery, 101 Penn Avenue in downtown Scranton. The show runs until April 18, 2024. The display includes photography, painting, drawing, sculpture, and pottery from 22 UNC Youth Artists. Guests are encouraged to mingle with the artists on March 28 to learn about their masterpieces and play the interactive component of the exhibit – the recreation of lost and ancient games. They will learn the history of the games and how to play the replicas created by the artists using 3D design/printing and pottery techniques. Featured artists include Jaida Rosa, Fourth Grade, featuring her ceramics. Tiana Jeter, Seventh Grade, highlighting her photography and ceramics. Janyah Currie, a high school sophomore, displaying her photography, mixed media, and ceramics. Janiya Jones, a high school sophomore, will be presenting her 3D design and photography. Lizmary Camacho, a high school senior, will be showing photography and mixed media. Enjelis Madera, a high school senior, will be featuring her photography, mixed media, and ceramics. Illumination Youth Arts is funded by Lackawanna County, The City of Scranton, United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties, and the Overlook Estate Foundation. For more information, contact Kylee Colvin, UNC’s Community Youth Manager at 570-961-1592, ext. 105.
Citizens Saving Bank Sponsors UNC in Upcoming Designer Purse Bingo United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC) received $500.00 sponsorship from Citizens Saving Bank for our second annual Designer Purse Bingo fundraiser on Friday, April 5, 2024, at Holy Cross High School in Dunmore. The doors open at 5:30pm and bingo starts at 6:30pm. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. Admission covers 20 games of exciting Bingo with “celebrity” callers for a chance to win amazing designer purses. Additional purchases can be made the day of the event for three special games, basket raffles, 50/50, and $20 gift card pull. Light refreshments will also be available to purchase. Guests are allowed to bring their own food and beverages including alcoholic drinks, making this event for the 21+ crowd only. For tickets and sponsorship opportunities please visit: uncnepa.org/bingo.
South Side Farmers’ Market Moves Outdoors In its 14th year of operation, the South Side Farmers’ Market, run by United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s (UNC), is Scranton’s only year-round farmers’ market. A local source for meats, eggs, breads, produce and more.The Summer Market will be open every Saturday from 10am –1pm at 529 Cedar Avenue, behind the former South Side Bank & Trust Building. The South Side Farmers’ Market offers local & organic produce including a variety of unique fresh greens, mushrooms, pasture-raised eggs, and a large variety off arm fresh meats and artisan cheeses at the market all season long. Bread and baked goods, cookies, desserts, roasted coffee beans, plants, natural skin care items, art, pottery, nuts & snacks, jewelry and other natural food products are available at the market. Returning this year is a fan-favorite and award winning Mexican restaurant selling hot food for customers to treat themselves to while they shop or sit at our brightly coloured café while they enjoy live music. Some featured vendors are Fullers Overlook Farm, Quails-R-Us, Twin Brook Farms, Calkin’s Creamery, Bet’a Bread Bakery, Funny Wine Girl Jeannine, Rylee Jade, KB Pottery, El Buen Amigo, Evil Sweets by Lulu, Christine Coligan Art, Kaizen Snacks,NEPA Micro Greens, Peaches Greens, NEPA Coffee Roasters and more. The market has guest vendors selling items from raw honey, succulents, gifts, spirits,and so much more! The market is also hosting a Summer Music Series, where live music will entertain customers. We begin with The South Side Five, sponsored by Notology on May 7th. June 18thwill be Frankie Gervasi of The Poets, sponsored by Kost Tire, and we fill in there maining 4 months outside with Charles Havira & Nick Driscoll on July 16th, War Ballad on August 20th, Satur Bae on September 17th(which will coincide with our Welcoming Scranton Celebration) and wrap up the season on October 8th(our final outdoor market day) with the Jacob Cole Trio. In addition to the music days, we will also have weekends scheduled with activities like a petting zoo, face-painting & balloon art, a gaming station and so much more. Watch the market newsletter and social media pages for updates and scheduling! The South Side Farmers Market is funded through a Neighborhood Partnership Program grant with Peoples Security Bank, PNC Bank and PPL Electric. For more information, please contact Kelly, South Side Farmers Market Manager at 570-866-2472.
